"For me, personally, I don't think anyone should get a hit off me. Of course, they are going to. It's just easier working on things down here because there is no pressure."

IronPigs pitching coach Ray Burris is glad to hear it when those sent down from the majors use the word 'work' because that's all he asks of them.

Justin DeFratus, who lives with Diekman, was in a similar situation last season. He lost his edge and was throwing bad strikes.

DeFratus came to Lehigh Valley, soaked in the advice of Burris and IronPigs manager Dave Brundage, worked his butt off and was gone after 15 games.

Diekman moved past the anger and frustration of the demotion late Thursday night, then did what he does every night after a game: He talked pitching with DeFratus.

"I was pissed off," he said. "But I did it, I put myself in a position where I made the organization have to do that.

"Getting sent down is a ... wake-up call. Either you're never going to get called back up if you don't change or you're going to pitch your way back up to the big leagues."

Diekman told his father it was like getting fired. The Nebraska native, though, only has plans to get his job back in the Phillies bullpen.

Diekman suffered similar struggles at the start of the 2013 season at Lehigh Valley. With the IronPigs, he carried a 6.75 ERA with 21 walks in his first 17 1/3 innings (in 17 games).

This year in 17 games with the Phillies, he has a 6.75 ERA with 17 walks in 21 innings. He's allowed at least one run in eight of his 17 appearances and allowed inherited runners to score in five games.

"We talked about the past and that you can take all of the mechanics and everything like that," Brundage said, "but if you don't have any confidence, nothing's going to work."

Diekman will see game action starting today after two days off. He worked three consecutive days to end his first stint this year with the Phillies.

Burris said Diekman, like all others who have experienced demotion, have to get past that moment of what appears to be rejection and focus on what needs to be done.

"Guys take it as a slap in the face," the former major league pitcher said. "You have to get your stuff together to get back up there.

"If you're willing to work, it won't take long."

Diekman said once he cooled down, he recognized that this is a process and for it to start working his head must be clear of all negativity and confidence issues.

"I just have to get back to the aggressive pitcher that I am," he said. "It only takes one or two outings and snap, your mentality is like, 'all right, I'm back. Let's go.'"

Game notes: Starting pitcher Paul Clemens threw a bullpen session Saturday as he works his way back from a right foot strain. The right-hander will next see his first game action since May 3 this coming week in Clearwater. … SS Edgar Duran (right hamstring strain) continued to take batting practice and drills with trainer Jon May. He hasn't played since May 13.